While Eric DeCosta has hit consistently in the draft, nobody can bat 1.000. Which draft pick do you describe as the biggest miss?
Baltimore Ravens GM Eric DeCosta has been acknowledged as one of the best general managers in the NFL, if not all of sports. The Ravens have constantly had a top-of-the-league roster, handled their own contracts and extensions well, competed for division titles and are a Super Bowl-contending team year in and year out. One of the best parts of DeCosta’s success has been his ability to consistently draft well and bolster the roster. There are too many names to list, both in early rounds and later, of players that became successful stars, starters, role players and even special teams contributors that helped build out an entire 53-man roster.
But let’s get a little negative and take stock of DeCosta’s worst pick in the draft. Every manager has them.
Today’s Question of the Day is:
What is the Ravens’ biggest draft whiff since 2019?
My answer: David Ojabo
There aren’t many options here. Every single first-round pick by DeCosta has turned into, at minimum, a solid starter. A lot of them turned into Pro-Bowl talents and All-Pros. Most of DeCosta’s misses are on Day 3 in the fifth and sixth rounds. Cornerback Shaun Wade was traded before he made it through his first camp, fullback Ben Mason never got a chance in Baltimore, cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly and running back Tyler Badie were waived and never made the 53-man roster. But it’s hard to truly slam Day 3 picks not panning out as a worst pick.
Ben Cleveland could maybe be regarded up there. He’s a third-rounder that Harbaugh pounded the table for but never could crack the starting lineup. But even then, Cleveland has looked good in every opportunity he’s had and they just re-signed him as a backup who could still have a chance to win the job.
Ojabo is the best choice here. A middle second-round pick, Ojabo was originally projected as a top 15 prospect before tearing his Achilles during the pre-draft process. He fell to the second round and seemed like an obvious choice to the Ravens considering the talent level and connection to Ravens Defensive Coordinator Mike Macdonald. Unfortunately, it hasn’t worked out as he hasn’t remained healthy for a season until 2024 where he then struggled to see consistent snaps in his third year.
Ravens fans are mostly hurt by this because division rival Pittsburgh got George Pickens just a few picks later, though I will be honest in saying I don’t know if Pickens would have worked out in Baltimore. Cam Jurgens also went after Ojabo as well and just received a top-of-the-market extension.
The Ojabo draft pick is probably DeCosta’s worst pick due to the high value of a 45th overall pick and the fact that Ojabo has yet to find any role on the field in any consistent capacity. That being said, Ojabo still has his fourth year of his rookie contract and pass rushers in Baltimore tend to love the final year of their deal.
What do you think DeCosta’s worst pick has been? Scroll down below and leave a comment!